An online automatic measurement system for stem rejection in cigarette making machines

Abstract

The present application relates to an online automatic metering system for the amount of stems rejected from a cigarette making machine, comprising: a weighing hopper having a feed port at the top, an air inlet on one side, and an air outlet on the other side; a weighing platform for weighing the stems in the hopper; and an air supply unit for providing negative pressure air to the air outlet of the weighing hopper, the air supply unit not in contact with the hopper. The system can dynamically and in real time weigh the stems and automatically adjust the air damper opening based on the actual amount of stems rejected, providing real-time feedback and adjustment without lag, thus achieving closed-loop control to ensure product quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of cigarette processing, and more particularly to an online automatic metering system for the amount of stems rejected by a cigarette making machine. Background Art

[0002] Currently, the stem rejection rate for the ZJ118 cigarette making machine is manually controlled by adjusting the opening of the stem baffle. This manual adjustment is subject to uncertainty, and the baffle opening parameter cannot be accurately fed back. Furthermore, different tobacco brands have different stem rejection indicators. The same cigarette making machine produces different tobacco brands based on demand, resulting in frequent adjustments to the stem baffle. There is no real-time tracking and feedback on the rejection rate during the production process. After adjusting the baffle opening, operators must wait for inspectors to take samples and weigh them before they can determine the rejection rate. Adjusting the baffle based on these parameters cannot guarantee that the adjusted parameters will meet process requirements.

[0003] Based on this situation, a scale bar is installed on the stem deflector adjustment rod. The purpose is to produce different tobacco brands with corresponding scale parameters that meet the process indicators of stem removal quantity for that brand. However, in actual operation, it is found that even when producing the same tobacco brand and using the same stem deflector scale, the stem removal quantity can vary greatly.

[0004] Using a scale bar to position the air adjustment plate can lead to errors. Practice has shown that even a very small adjustment to the air adjustment plate opening can lead to significant errors in stem rejection. This is also related to the fact that the rejection rate indicators for different brands are relatively close. The two brands with the closest rejection rates are 60g / min and 70g / min, respectively.

[0005] There are many reasons for this discrepancy. Over time, the blower can accumulate material on its inner walls, reducing its chamber area and air volume. This prevents extended downtime for maintenance during production. Material buildup in the air delivery piping can also affect the air separation process. When opening the inspection door to adjust the stem baffle and take samples, changes in local pressure in the air separation area significantly impact the amount of stems removed.

[0006] In summary, we need a method that can automatically measure and adjust the amount of stems removed online, provide real-time feedback, and make adjustments. During the production process, we can monitor the amount of stems removed per minute and adjust the amount of stems removed based on the monitoring results. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an online automatic metering system for the amount of stems rejected from a cigarette making machine, so as to solve the above technical problems.

[0008] An online automatic metering system for the amount of stems rejected by a cigarette making machine comprises: a weighing hopper having a feed port at the top, an air inlet on one side of the weighing hopper, and an air outlet on the other side of the weighing hopper; a weighing platform for weighing the stems in the weighing hopper; and an air supply unit for providing negative pressure air to the air outlet of the weighing hopper, wherein the air supply unit does not contact the weighing hopper.

[0009] In some embodiments, the weighing hopper is a strip-shaped shell with a through cavity along the direction of the air inlet and the air outlet, and the feed port is opened on the strip-shaped shell and is located between the air inlet and the air outlet.

[0010] In some embodiments, the weighing hopper further comprises a guide hopper, which is connected to the feed port and is used to guide the stems removed from the cigarette making machine into the weighing hopper.

[0011] In some embodiments, the air supply unit includes a partition and an air duct unit, the partition is provided with an avoidance hole, the partition is mounted on the weighing bucket through the avoidance hole, and the partition is not in contact with the weighing bucket; the air duct unit is mounted on the air outlet side of the weighing bucket, one end of the air duct unit is connected to the partition, and the air duct unit is not connected to the weighing bucket.

[0012] In some embodiments, the air duct unit includes an air supply pipeline, an air supply pipeline and a three-way valve. One end of the air supply pipeline is mounted on the air outlet side of the weighing bucket, one end of the air supply pipeline is connected to the partition, and the air supply pipeline does not contact the weighing bucket. The other end of the air supply pipeline is connected to the negative pressure air, and the air supply pipeline is connected to the air supply pipeline. The three-way valve is arranged in the air supply pipeline for connecting the two ends of the air supply pipeline or the air supply pipeline and one end of the air supply pipeline connected to the negative pressure air.

[0013] In some embodiments, a first gap is provided between the avoidance hole of the partition and the weighing bucket, and the first gap is 5-10 mm.

[0014] In some embodiments, a second gap is provided between the air delivery pipeline and the weighing bucket, and the second gap is 5-10 mm.

[0015] In some embodiments, the weighing hopper is provided with a filter on one side of the air inlet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] One or more embodiments are exemplarily illustrated by pictures in the corresponding drawings. These exemplifications do not constitute limitations on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings are represented as similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings do not constitute proportional limitations.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an online automatic metering system for stem rejection in a cigarette making machine provided in one embodiment of the present application;

[0018] In the picture:

[0019] 1-weighing bucket, 2-weighing platform, 3-air inlet, 4-material guide hopper, 5-partition, 6-air delivery pipeline, 7-second gap, 8-first gap, 9-air outlet, 10-air supply pipe, 12-three-way valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described in more detail below in conjunction with the drawings in the preferred embodiments of the present application. In the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar parts or parts with the same or similar functions. The described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are exemplary and are intended to be used to explain the present application, and should not be understood as limitations on the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0021] The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0023] The terms "first", "second" and "third" in this application are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or suggesting the quantity or order of the technical features indicated relative to importance or implicitly indicating the indicated technical features. In the embodiments of the present application, all directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back ...) are only used to explain the relative position relationship or movement situation between the various components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication also changes accordingly. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or equipment that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the steps or units listed, but optionally also includes steps or units that are not listed, or optionally also includes other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products or equipment.

[0024] References herein to "embodiments" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it constitute an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It is understood, both explicitly and implicitly, by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0025] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be one or more intermediate elements in between. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only implementation methods.

[0026] The following will be combined Figure 1 , a cigarette making machine stem rejection amount automatic online metering system involved in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail. It is worth noting that the following embodiments are only used to explain the present application and do not constitute a limitation of the present application.

[0027] In such Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the online automatic metering system for the amount of stems rejected by the cigarette making machine may include: a weighing hopper 1, a weighing platform 2, and an air supply unit. The top of the weighing hopper 1 has a feed port, which is opposite to the built-in stem discharge vibration groove of the cigarette making machine, so that the stems rejected in the cigarette making machine can be transported to the weighing hopper 1 through the built-in vibration groove through the feed port.

[0028] An air inlet 3 is provided on one side of the weighing bucket 1, and an air outlet 9 is provided on the other side of the weighing bucket 1; the weighing platform 2 is used to weigh the sticks in the weighing bucket 1; the air supply unit is used to provide negative pressure air to the air outlet 9 of the weighing bucket 1, and the air supply unit does not contact the weighing bucket 1.

[0029] The stems rejected from the cigarette making machine are conveyed by its built-in vibrating trough to weighing hopper 1. Feeding stops after the system's set feeding time has expired. After stabilizing for one second, weighing platform 2 reads and records the weight. The air supply unit activates negative pressure dust removal to remove the stems from weighing hopper 1. The machine then re-feeds, weighs, and removes the stems. The weight data recorded during each weighing is converted to g / min by the control program. This unit can be used to set the batch output quantity indicator in g / min. This method uses an average of multiple weighings to automatically adjust the damper via an angular actuator, gradually aligning the output quantity of the cigarette making machine to the set value.

[0030] During the weighing process, the weighing bucket 1 cannot come into contact with the air supply unit to avoid inaccurate weighing data.

[0031] In some embodiments, the weighing hopper 1 is a strip-shaped shell with a through-cavity along the direction of the air inlet 3 and the air outlet 9, and the feed port is opened on the strip-shaped shell and is located between the air inlet 3 and the air outlet 9. The weighing hopper 1 is configured as a strip-shaped shell with openings at both ends, which is a key to the realization of the technical solution of this application. It does not affect weighing and measurement, and can also allow the weighed stems to be removed, forming continuous weighing and measurement. Then, through a number of data analyses, the air damper is automatically adjusted by the angle actuator by taking the average value, so that the output of the cigarette machine gradually approaches the set value. The feed port is also very critical between the air inlet 3 and the air outlet 9. In this way, the stems that fall into the weighing hopper 1 through the feed port can be carried away from the air outlet 9 by the wind entering from the air inlet 3.

[0032] In some embodiments, the weighing hopper 1 further includes a guide hopper 4 connected to the feed port for directing stems removed from the cigarette making machine into the weighing hopper 1. The guide hopper 4 primarily facilitates smoother delivery of stems removed from the cigarette making machine via its built-in vibrating trough to the weighing hopper 1, preventing stems from falling outside the weighing hopper 1 and causing inaccurate measurement.

[0033] In some embodiments, the air supply unit includes a partition 5 and an air duct unit, the partition 5 is provided with an avoidance hole, the partition 5 is mounted on the weighing bucket 1 through the avoidance hole, and the partition 5 does not contact the weighing bucket 1; the air duct unit is mounted on the air outlet 9 side of the weighing bucket 1, one end of the air duct unit is connected to the partition 5, and the air duct unit is not connected to the partition 5. The air duct unit includes an air supply pipe 6, an air supply pipe 10 and a three-way valve 12. One end of the air supply pipe 6 is sleeved on the side of the air outlet 9 of the weighing bucket 1, one end of the air supply pipe 6 is connected to the partition 5, and the air supply pipe 6 does not contact the partition 5. The other end of the air supply pipe 6 is connected to the negative pressure air, the air supply pipe 10 is connected to the air supply pipe 6, and the three-way valve 12 is arranged in the air supply pipe 6, for connecting the two ends of the air supply pipe 6 or the end of the air supply pipe 10 connected to the negative pressure air of the air supply pipe 6.

[0034] The setting of the partition 5 is very critical, because this application needs to ensure that the air duct unit does not contact the weighing bucket 1, but the weighing bucket 1 must be connected to the air delivery pipe 6. Therefore, the air delivery pipe 6 needs to be connected to the partition 5, and the air delivery pipe 6 needs to be partially installed on the weighing bucket 1 without contacting the weighing bucket 1. Moreover, the partition 5 cannot contact the weighing bucket 1. Except for contact with the weighing platform 2, the weighing bucket 1 does not contact any other part of the system. In order to ensure the accuracy of the weighing data, the weighing bucket 1 must be placed on the weighing platform in a completely free state, and the air delivery pipe 6 cannot be hard-connected to it.

[0035] A first gap 8 is provided between the relief hole of the partition 5 and the weighing hopper 1, with a length of 5-10 mm. A second gap 7 is provided between the air delivery pipe 6 and the weighing hopper 1, with a length of 5-10 mm. When dust removal air passes through this gap, the air pressure in the gap is very high due to the very small gap between the weighing hopper 1 and the casing, and the vast majority of the air flow passes through the weighing hopper 1. This device can pneumatically deliver the stems in the weighing hopper 1 while ensuring accurate weighing data.

[0036] Of course, as another preferred embodiment, the three-way valve 12 in the air duct unit is designed to prevent the weighing hopper 1 from being unloaded for extended periods, which would cause the accumulation of stalks on the feed vibration trough. To ensure that the stalks in the weighing hopper 1 are drawn out and the damper is closed as quickly as possible for the next weighing operation, rapid switching means that the stalks passing through the air delivery pipe 6 do not have sufficient airflow time to enter the collection pipe and then the dust removal chamber. This embodiment utilizes a three-way valve 12 to simultaneously shut off the air flow to the weighing hopper 1 and switch to the supplementary air port to continue airflow, ensuring airflow time and, in turn, ensuring the normal delivery of the stalks passing through the air delivery pipe 6. In other words, the three-way valve 12 enables both the feeding of the weighing hopper 1 and the normal delivery of the stalks passing through the air delivery pipe 6 to occur simultaneously, thereby improving production cycle time and efficiency.

[0037] Before production starts, set the air gate parameters corresponding to the amount of stems removed. The removed stems fall through the air gate and are transported into the weighing hopper 1 by the stem discharge vibration trough. When the weight of the stems in the weighing hopper reaches the set value, the vibration trough stops feeding and opens the three-way valve 12. After the stems in the weighing hopper 1 are blown away by the wind, the three-way valve 12 is closed, and the weighing platform 2 vibration trough is reset through the program to feed again.

[0038] While the system is running, the weight of the stems is measured during each cycle to determine the number of cigarettes produced per minute. This data is then compared with process parameters, and the opening of the angular actuator in the air flow control device is adjusted to ensure that the cigarette production meets the process parameters.

[0039] In another preferred embodiment, the opening of the angular actuator in the air flow control device is controlled by an analog signal, providing feedback on the damper opening. The analog output is a percentage of damper opening. Adjusting the damper opening by entering a percentage value on the touchscreen simultaneously provides feedback on the actual damper opening percentage, which is displayed in real time on the screen. This parameter can also be automatically controlled by a program to gradually bring the stem rejection rate closer to the set value.

[0040] Installing the metering system of this embodiment in a cigarette-making machine realizes real-time monitoring and automatic adjustment of the amount of stems removed by the cigarette-making machine, making this process indicator visual. Different stem removal indicators are set according to different tobacco brands, and the amount of stems removed by the cigarette-making machine is monitored in real time during the production process. There is no need to stop the cigarette-making machine or to take manual samples for inspection, thereby improving the level of automation and optimizing production management.

[0041] In some embodiments, the weighing bucket 1 is provided with a filter on one side of the air inlet 3. The filter can prevent irrelevant impurities from being sucked in while allowing air to enter.

[0042] The online automatic metering system for stem rejection of cigarette making machines provided in this embodiment has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art:

[0043] (1) The amount of stems removed is automatically detected in real time during the operation of the cigarette making machine, without the need to open the inspection door for manual sampling.

[0044] (2) Using static weighing mode, the weighing accuracy is high.

[0045] (3) The air door opening can be automatically adjusted according to the real-time rejection amount of stems, which can achieve real-time feedback and real-time adjustment without lag, realizing closed-loop control to ensure product quality.

[0046] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An online automatic metering system for the amount of stems rejected from a cigarette making machine, characterized in that: include: A weighing hopper, wherein the top of the weighing hopper is provided with a feed port, one side of the weighing hopper is provided with an air inlet, and the other side of the weighing hopper is provided with an air outlet; A weighing platform, the weighing platform is used to weigh the stems in the weighing bucket; an air supply unit, the air supply unit being configured to provide negative pressure air to an air outlet of the weighing hopper, and the air supply unit being not in contact with the weighing hopper; The weighing hopper is a strip-shaped shell with a through cavity along the direction of the air inlet and the air outlet, and the feed port is opened on the strip-shaped shell and located between the air inlet and the air outlet; The air supply unit includes a partition and an air duct unit, wherein the partition is provided with an avoidance hole, and the partition is sleeved on the weighing bucket through the avoidance hole, and the partition does not contact the weighing bucket; The air duct unit is sleeved on the air outlet side of the weighing bucket, one end of the air duct unit is connected to the partition, and the air duct unit is not connected to the weighing bucket; The air duct unit includes an air delivery pipeline, an air supply pipeline and a three-way valve. One end of the air delivery pipeline is sleeved on the air outlet side of the weighing bucket, one end of the air delivery pipeline is connected to the partition, and the air delivery pipeline does not contact the weighing bucket. The other end of the air delivery pipeline is connected to the negative pressure air, and the air supply pipeline is connected to the air delivery pipeline. The three-way valve is arranged in the air delivery pipeline and is used to connect the two ends of the air delivery pipeline or the end of the air supply pipeline connected to the negative pressure air; A first gap is provided between the avoidance hole of the partition and the weighing bucket, and the first gap is 5-10 mm; A second gap is provided between the air delivery pipeline and the weighing bucket, and the second gap is 5-10 mm.

2. The online automatic metering system for stem rejection of a cigarette making machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The weighing hopper further comprises a guide hopper, which is connected to the feed port and is used for guiding the stems removed from the cigarette making machine into the weighing hopper.

3. The online automatic metering system for stem rejection of a cigarette making machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The weighing bucket is provided with a filter screen on one side of the air inlet.

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